WIlderness

 November 12, 2024

In one of my Scripture readings recently, I found these words:

“Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.” —Mark 1:12 

Upon his baptism, Jesus had just been affirmed by his Father who said, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” (1:11). You would think that such a verbal affirmation would be followed by some demonstration of that blessing, but IMMEDIATELY Jesus was (I love the way Mark puts it) DRIVEN into the wilderness. His choice of words imply Jesus was reluctant to go. If so, I don’t blame him. I would be reluctant to leave the blessing of affirmation to enter the desert of temptation.

 

But that is often how God works. Just when things are going swimmingly, God pulls the rug out from under our feet. We must be careful here: we often see these desert experiences as attacks from the Enemy instead of as gifts from God. In a way, they may have a demonic component, but never forget it was God who drove Jesus into the desert. Why? And why does he do this to us?

Because there are lessons that we can only learn there. If you pay attention to the Biblical narrative, you’ll find we are a desert people. God led his people through the desert. He appeared to Elijah in the desert, he drove Jesus into the desert. Don’t underestimate the love of God nor the power of God when he drives you into a desert. It’s not necessarily because you’ve sinned; it might be because he wants to magnify his power through you.